California has always been the place where big dreams come true. The Amgen Tour of California and Visit California teamed up to make Glendale, Arizona’s Andrea Barron’s dreams come true when she won the Dream Big Sweepstakes sending her and a guest to watch the first two stages of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. Barron received VIP access and treatment all weekend in Sacramento, including roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations along with an official Amgen Tour of California merchandise package and an autographed leader’s jersey. The vivacious Barron introduced herself to me while hob knobbing with race execs, sponsors and VIPs at a private ZD Wines event in Old Town Sacramento the day before the race started. Overflowing with infectious joy, Barron’s warm and generous spirit is evident in her winning smile. We’ve kept in touch and recently I chatted with the Senior Technical Project Manager at AT&T about her experiences visiting the Amgen Tour of California.

Over 400 cyclists, including many healing heroes and military veterans, rode 22, 40 or 80 miles through Sacramento this morning as part of the Ride 2 Recovery Honor Ride Gold Series starting and finishing in front of the State Capitol Building. It was inspiring to be there to witness the camaraderie as each rider was on a personal mission to complete the ride despite their injuries, including loss of limb(s) or to support their fellow veterans. Fervent cheers were heard when each rider crossed the finish line.

For several years now, I’ve followed the valuable work done by Ride 2 Recovery, a nonprofit improving the health and wellness of healing heroes through mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling activities. I’ve been touched seeing videos and photos of military veterans, many who have lost a limb(s) while serving our great country, learning to ride as part of their recovery. It truly puts things into perspective. The Amgen Tour of California is proud to partner with Ride 2 Recovery for the Honor Ride Gold Series, three premiere fundraising rides with the third and final event slated for this Saturday (May 10) in Sacramento. Earlier rides were held in San Jose (April 12) and Thousand Oaks (May 3).